According to a report by the Climate Change Committee, the economic recession probably caused citizens in the United Kingdom to emit fewer greenhouse gases in 2008. The Committee advises the government of the United Kingdom on carbon emissions and issues related to climate change. The study found that the United Kingdom’s output of carbon dropped about two percent in 2008, largely due to the economic downturn. The economy in the United Kingdom is in the midst of a historic recession, seeing its economy shrink for five quarters in a row.
Because of the global recession fewer Brits traveled last year, making for less greenhouse gases being released into the environment. The travel and tourism industry suffered huge losses as airlines cut flights, car hire agencies scaled back their fleets, and hotels closed their doors. The combination of these things led to less greenhouse gases, the emissions thought to be responsible for global warming, to be released into the environment.
Even though emissions were down the Committee warned that cuts in emissions that were due to the recession are not enough to keep the UK on pace to meet its emissions goals. Currently the United Kingdom is cutting about .5% of its carbon emissions per year, while the committee says that number needs to be closer to three percent for the United Kingdom to reach its goals.
In addition to continued advances cleaner electricity, the Committee says the UK needs further investment in wind farms if it is to reach the goals set for 2020.
|
|
